Liam Payne’s father Geoff was seen looking at tributes in Buenos Aires (Image: Getty)Liam Payne’s father Geoff read tributes to his superstar son at the hotel where the former One Direction singer tragically lost his life earlier this week. Looking distraught after a dash to Argentina from the UK, he appeared at the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires on Friday, bending down to read messages and and kiss pictures of Liam, who was 31. Wearing a dark blue suit, Geoff was shielded from dozens of fans and reporters by police and security guards. People have been gathered outside the hotel since the tragic events of Wednesday night. He was seen bending down to look at a sea of cards, photos, flowers and hand-made tributes to the singer, for whom a vigil has been held by fans outside the upscale venue since the news earlier this week that he had died.
Liam Payne posted from his trip to Argentina before he died
Geoff Payne paid tribute to his son outside the hotel where he died
(Image: Getty Images)
Geoff occasionally put on his reading glasses to look at some of the notes that were in English and picked up photographs and kissed them. Fans sent their condolences to Liam’s dad, with one writing: “Unimaginable pain, imagine having to bury your own child” and “So heartbreaking to watch, that poor family.” The Paynes are thought to have headed for the airport from their Wolverhampton home shortly after the horrific news broke on Wednesday night that Liam had suffered a fatal fall from a height of approximately 13 or 14 metres, sustaining 25 injuries described as “very serious injuries incompatible with life.” Argentine authorities, in a statement to The Associated Press, said that the beloved singer had “jumped from the balcony of his room” – which seemingly ruled out accidental causes or foul play. However, in the absence of any confirmed details leaves what really happened that night an open question. Reports have suggested that alcohol or drugs may have played a role in the events leading up to his death. A chilling emergency services call heard a hotel employee telling the operator: “CasaSur Palermo. And we need you to send someone urgently because, well, I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger. They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk.” In the wake of this tragedy, Liam’s family released a heartfelt statement, saying: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.” One Direction, who haven’t performed together since 2015, also released a poignant statement. All four members, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, expressed their heartbreak, saying: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
One Direction’s members paid a heartfelt tribute to Liam, both as a group and individually
(Image: Getty Images)
Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.” They each also shared poignant messages and memories about their bandmate, as did Simon Cowell, who was responsible for putting the band together on The X Factor. She said: “Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you. This is so difficult to put into words right now. I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together.” Cheryl, 41, Liam’s ex-girlfriend and mother to his son Bear, who is seven, also spoke out, sharing her devastation and concern for their child, saying he might encounter news coverage of his dad in the future. She wrote: “As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being. Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son [Bear]. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.” She added: “What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days.” It comes after US news outlet TMZ was branded “beyond deplorable” for sharing pictures of parts of the singer’s body, sparking a large backlash from fans. TMZ boss Michael Babcock defended the move, saying: “When the information was coming in, police had not yet confirmed that it was Liam, so what was done on the TMZ website, there was an image – did not show the full image, didn’t show his face – but that showed his arm and his abdomen, where he has some very recognisable tattoos. “So that’s sort of used as a way to confirm, or to match up the tattoos at a point where police had not yet confirmed his identity. And then, once they did, obviously, that photo was removed.”
Simon Cowell was among the stars paying tribute to Liam today
(Image: PA)
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